Negotiators at the 17th Conference of the Parties (COP17) to the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) have entered the final phase of talks in Mongolia, with climate finance, water security and land restoration emerging as the key issues on the agenda.
Delegates from nearly 200 countries are working to reach agreements on measures to combat desertification, restore degraded land and strengthen resilience to drought, particularly in vulnerable regions across Africa, Asia and Latin America.
A major focus of the negotiations is securing increased financial commitments to support land restoration projects and help developing countries implement sustainable land management practices. Several nations have called for greater international investment to address the growing impacts of land degradation and climate change.
Water security has also taken center stage, with delegates discussing strategies to improve water conservation, strengthen drought preparedness and promote sustainable management of scarce water resources.
The conference is also considering measures to accelerate global efforts to restore degraded ecosystems, improve agricultural productivity and protect biodiversity, in line with international climate and sustainable development goals.
UN officials have warned that land degradation and desertification threaten food security, livelihoods and economic stability for billions of people worldwide, making stronger international cooperation increasingly urgent.
The outcomes of the final negotiations are expected to shape global efforts to tackle desertification over the coming years, with countries seeking practical commitments on funding, technology transfer and capacity building.
As the summit enters its closing days, negotiators are working to bridge differences over financing mechanisms and implementation plans, with hopes of reaching a consensus before the conference concludes later this week.
